Monday, February 21, 2005
Eustathios, Archbishop of Antioch
Kellia: 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 11:1-15 Epistle: 2 Peter 1:20-2:9 Gospel: St. Mark 13:9-13
St. Mark 13:9-13, especially vs. 13: "...But he who endures to the end shall be saved." In today's
Gospel the Lord Jesus warn us concerning the possible consequences in one's life and family relationships for professing
Christ. He begins with a blunt caution: "...watch out for yourselves..." (vs. 9). Later in this same chapter, He will again
admonish and urge us to keep alert and watchful for His return (vss. 33,35,37).
If you skim through the passage, notice that the specifics of the Lord's warnings parallel, step by step, what later occurred
to Him in His Passion, events that will be described in the next two chapters (Mk. 14-15). As you glance ahead, notice that
the final teachings of our Lord in this chapter transition directly into the plot against Him in the next (Mk.14:1-2). In love,
the Lord is warning us fairly to count in advance the cost of discipleship and the price of our salvation.
The sufferings of the Lord in His Passion, as well as the afflictions which countless martyrs and confessors have endured,
raise a serious question: "Why follow Christ if arrest, beating, interrogation, public confession, betrayal, hatred, and
execution are possibilities?" Let us be forthright: there are many answers to such a question, but the true answer is
salvation - our eternal life (vs. 13). If we call ourselves Christians, let us heed St. Makarios of Egypt's chilling observation
that "Many are moved by repentance and many become partakers of heavenly grace and are wounded by divine love; but
unable to bear the ensuing tribulations and the wily and versatile assaults of the devil, they submit to the world and are
submerged in its depths." Sadly, some who profess Christ will hear Him say, "I never knew you" (Mt. 7:23).
As the Lord advises, let us count the cost of discipleship in advance, (Lk. 14:28-30). If we do, we shall admit freely that
there are real, tangible benefits in deciding against discipleship. Uninhibited pleasures in this life are the principle reason
for deciding against Christian Faith. However, let us also examine the ineffable benefits of the great salvation to which we
are called. Genuine humanity is found only in Christ. Deliverance from sin and eternal death is of incalculable worth,
beyond all measure. Even union with God becomes a radiant possibility.
The world offers what can be touched, consumed, held, and tasted. Committing to Christ sometimes implies forgoing
momentary pleasures. However, when one looks at the confusion, bitterness, and sterility that so often accompany
unbridled indulgence, the Gospel promises of love, hope, faith, life, light, integrity, and purity shine very brightly.
Having looked at the "why" of being Christ's disciple, let us also look, with the Lord, at what may have to be endured to be
saved. Loyalty to the Lord Jesus may require us to resist social consensus (vs. 9), to advocate for the Gospel (vss. 10-11),
or to deny some family demands (vs. 12). Such resisting, such taking of a stand, may exact a price ranging from loss of life
to the surrender of some mere trifle. Make no mistake: the secular culture we live in constantly presses against loyalty to
Christ, incessantly demanding that we defend our beliefs, values, and practices. These pressures are the essential price of
enduring "to the end," in order to be saved (vs. 13).
Finally, how long may one have to endure? In one respect, the answer is simple. Until the "end." And when is that? The
Apostle teaches that "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27). In other words, we
have to endure until we are judged. And so we pray for "a Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful; and a
good defense before the dread Judgment Seat of Christ."
Yea, let my humble heart be lighted by Thy fear lest it rise and fall from Thee, O all compassionate One. Purify me before
Thou raisest me from this place.